TIAF 2015

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The Independent Artist Fair (TIAF)

Providing an affordable platform for contemporary art

The Independent Artist Fair (TIAF) aims to provide a platform that puts artists rather than the market at the forefront, showing at the same time as Frieze Art Fair and The Other Art Fair, it represents a different approach, artist-led and premised on quality and concept.

TIAF 2014 saw the exhibition move to The Rag Factory in the heart of Brick Lane which is a fantastic venue. We showcased 72 international artists and we were very pleased to be able to include more video works due to the dedicated film room. The opening night was full and showed the support that TIAF has. We are very grateful to all the people who braved such a wet night to join us. By trying to keep the costs to a minimum for artists, yet be able to show in such a prime location, we continue to try and improve and learn, year on year. We hope to return to The Rag Factory next year, even bigger and better.Please have a look at our Gallery page for more images.

2013 showcased the works of fifty contemporary artists from across the world, including Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East. Selected from over three hundred submissions in five weeks, the works include innovative sculpture, painting, photography, video, installation and performance.

Artist-led, TIAF London 2013 is the first of an annual addition to the art fair calendar, with a quality over quantity ethos we seek out fantastic spaces on the periphery of more expensive venues in order to reduce costs to artists thereby removing either the financial restrictions or gallery exclusivity that prevent much exciting contemporary work to be seen in major commercial fairs. Founder and lead curator Wendy MacMillan.

As we look forward to 2014, here are some comments from a few of the artists who took part in the inaugural TIAF London 2013. A huge thank-you to the artists, visitors and supporters who made it such a memorable event

“It is an amazing opportunity to be able to make part of something new, fresh, full of talented people… and independent, this is TIAF! 😉 ” Romen Gouveia

I welcome the opportunity of being part of a community of artists that wants to take back the power of selecting, curating and distributing artworks whose value goes beyond market trends.

I applied because I support artists/curators. In a world in which art is increasingly looked at as commodity, I feel we need more people aware of the artistic process that leads to creation. I assume the motivation is to reclaim the power of representation during one of the busiest time in the London art calendar. Well done for setting up an “alternative” art fair led by artists for other artists! Alda Terracciano

I applied to this exhibition in the hope that my work would be seen by a more responsive and appropriate art loving collective. It is a brilliant exciting opportunity for me and a valuable addition to my cv and future prospective submissions.
To be accepted by my fellow peers for the work I am producing has boosted my self belief and confidence that what I am producing is good quality original abstract work. I think most artists are looking for confidence that their work is of an exceptional standard and the acceptance at TIAFLONDON goes a long way in doing that.
I believe that the general idea behind TIAF is fabulous, in that it gives a wider scope for artists work to be exhibited in the mainstream public domain without it costing the earth. We always see how gallery’s and some organisations exploit artists talent in order to make a fast buck from their hard toil, but TIAF idea should be adopted by many others and in doing so will encourage many others to submit their work and showcase up and coming artists that otherwise would struggle to be seen in populated quality venues. Paul Wood

“Opportunities to present your work in the company of a group of selected artists – in a curated exhibition – and in London – don’t come along that easily. Thanks to TIAF for pushing a bold idea through to an exciting reality.” Glynn Griffiths

I am excited and proud to have been selected to show at TIAF. To be accepted by a group of artists based on the quality of my work is truly an honour; the feedback and recognition has boosted my confidence and belief in my practice immensely. Being concerned with the very nature of art galleries, my installation will be particularly apt, being housed in an alternative, shared gallery space among fellow artists’ works. It was with this notion in mind that I applied for inclusion and indeed, forms completion of the work.

The fact that TIAF select with a view to allowing artists to show their work, curated on quality and substance over commerciality, within an affordable budget, is a boon to the industry and respects the hard working and imaginative creative people that are integral to it.

The organisers at TIAF are making a bold statement, providing opportunity and promoting work that may otherwise not enjoy the possibility of public exposure. Their ethos and effort should be applauded for realising what promises to be a diverse and exciting show, running during London art circuit’s most important annual week of fairs and exhibitions. Doug Haywood

“Being involved in TIAF is a fantastic opportunity, especially for independent artists who are not currently represented or are searching for ways to share their work with the community of London. Through the fair I hope my artwork will reach a diverse range of people, and also be of interest to the artists exhibiting. Exhibiting with a network of practitioners is hugely important for me, especially as I spend a great deal of time working alone. I also think it’s great that TIAF is created by and for artists; it can often be challenging to finance exhibitions independently or work agents/gallery owners, its a pleasant change to work with someone who is on the same page and respects the artists’ pursuits” Chloe roach

It’s always a lovely moment when your work is accepted into a show but with TIAF it also feels like the start of something really new and exciting. I began to dread the art fair, feeling more like I should go rather than I wanted to actually go. In part because the art fair has become market driven, concerned more with the making of sales and a demonstration of who’s who in the art world than about critically engaged or challenging work. I felt as an artist, rather than a buyer, out of place. That kind of exclusivity brings elitism which in turns alienates. TIAF promises to be the antithesis of that. At its heart is a desire to show excellent work with a view to give artists an uncompromised platform from which to exhibit. I’m not just excited about showing my work, I’m also really excited about being a part of TIAF, getting to know the team and the other exhibiting artists. Rock on! Lisa Snook

I am very excited about being part of the selected group of artists for the first TIAF exhibition. It is a great opportunity to exhibit some of my pieces alongside other fellow artists during a prominent week in the London Art Calendar The non profit status and general enthusiasm from TIAF to promote Art in a contemporary, dedicated space was a major factor in applying…cannot wait to meet all of you and see the reaction from visitors. Julio Campos

Two words about the show are in order : freshness and dynamism.

Expert in their field, the Group’s strength primarily lies in creative and skills of participants, and all demonstrate maturity. But there is a youthfull look. Youthfull is the nature of art, and a limited group (50 artists) give more strength to the show. All bring a bit of fresh look on the world. Astonished, outraged,rebel, admiring… the purpose of each artist is powerfully expressed .

The diversity of art is the reflect of the riches and diversity of the world. TIAF will tell you why.To be selected is always a big satisfaction but my satisfaction has increased when I have realized that TIAF was run entirely by artists. Congratulations for all the work done.

Michel Pincaut

“The Independent Artist Fair will be a must-see show for any visitor to Freize week. It features exciting worldwide talent and I’m thrilled to be a part of it! Kimberly Todd

I am excited and proud to have been selected to show at TIAF. To be accepted by a group of artists based on the quality of my work is truly an honour; the feedback and recognition has boosted my confidence and belief in my practice immensely. Being concerned with the very nature of art galleries, my installation will be particularly apt, being housed in an alternative, shared gallery space among fellow artists’ works. It was with this notion in mind that I applied for inclusion and indeed, forms completion of the work.

The fact that TIAF select with a view to allowing artists to show their work, curated on quality and substance over commerciality, within an affordable budget, is a boon to the industry and respects the hard working and imaginative creative people that are integral to it.

The organisers at TIAF are making a bold statement, providing opportunity and promoting work that may otherwise not enjoy the possibility of public exposure. Their ethos and effort should be applauded for realising what promises to be a diverse and exciting show, running during London art circuit’s most important annual week of fairs and exhibitions. Doug Haywood

I’m really glade to participate in TIAF, I think it’s a good chance for independent art to be shown in London.

It offers an alternative point of view from the classical art fair, considering quality instead of quantity and that’s an important base. I always support the independent contemporary art scene, so that’s why I find it so interesting and I hope it will grow up on future. RobertaOrlando

Thank-you for your interest in TIAF. We aim to offer a platform for artists rather than galleries unfortunately, but we hope you might direct any artists you think might be interested and that you might come see the show in 2014. Please do have a look at some of the fantastic artists who showed in 2013 as I am sure they would be interested in spreading their wings. You have some great artists with interesting work.